[PHOTO CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 06/14/20]
LEESBURG, Florida — A 21-year-old man accused a robbing a customer at gunpoint at a gas station in January and apologizing to her because he was “drugging” was arrested for the crime Monday.
Nathan Lee Howard, who is listed as homeless and with a Groveland address, allegedly robbed a woman at Circle K, 3300 West Main Street, Leesburg shortly after 11 p.m. Jan. 19. The victim told Leesburg Police she went into the store to purchase a few items and when she went to her vehicle, a man, later identified as Howard asked her if she had any money to give him. She told Howard no and he told her he though she was lying and pulled a black handgun out of his waistband and pointed at her, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Howard ordered the victim to place her purse on the ground and told her not to raise her hands or make any noise. The victim complied and Howard started going through her purse and asked her where her money was. She told him where to find $5 and he demanded more. The victim told him where a $20 was hidden and then her asked her for prescription drugs. The victim did not have any prescription drugs and Howard took a bottle of over-the counter pain reliever. He also took her wallet that contained her license, insurance card, bank card and a credit card, the affidavit states. Howard told the victim he was “drugging” and he was sorry for robbing her, she told police.
Howard was captured on the store’s surveillance video entering the store’s property, confronting the victim and leaving the property. The victim’s credit card was used at several places around Leesburg by a female also captured on video. She told police she did use the card but was unaware it was stolen.
A warrant was issued for Howard’s arrest in May and he was taken into custody Monday. He is charged with armed robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He has also been charged with six violations of probation stemming from felony cases in 2015 and 2016. He is being held in the Lake County Jail on no bond.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. Born and raised in Lake County, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College. She started her journalism career at LSSC, where she was editor of both student publications, The Angler and The Odyssey. Her professional career began at the Daily Commercial in 2004 where she covered cops and courts the majority of her time there until she left in 2009. Currently, along with being Editor-in-Chief of Lake Legal News, she is the Florida bureau chief for an international media organization. She has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
